Suggestions for Terre: Ideas and Suggestions for Future TRF Development

[Breandan]

A couple of rules up front-

1) Keep it civil. Rancorous discourse only detracts from the efforts of those of us who are trying to improve the faire. Likewise, try not to criticize the suggestions of others, as their ideas are just as valuable as yours, though some are more useful than others due to circumstances (especially relating to budget).
2) Keep it realistic. While I would love to see a massive stone castle built across the pond with the fireworks being launched from the battlement, such a castle would cost nearly a million at the very least (however, I actually DO know a guy who builds such castles, so if the budget ever came available... just sayin'). Remember that Terre has a skeletal budget and still has to clear certain things through George and the shareholders, so keep it within feasibility.


Okay, that being said, I would like to open up a thread for suggestions to Terre for the purpose of feeding ideas into the hopper that could be used to further improve and develop faire. These suggestions could be future site features, ideas for marketing, suggestions for new acts or artisans, etc. I'll start with some of my own ideas-

The Celtic Forest- either a part of, or attached to, the magic gardens, develop part of that area to resemble an ancient Celtic grove, and have a few actors stationed there as draoithe (druids) and laochra (warriors). While true standing stones might be pricey, concrete mock-ups with proper aging paint and vines/foliage growing over them would work quite well (and it's a lot easier to cast concrete with carvings than it is to carve into standing stones, I speak from experience). This would also be a handy spot to have the Sídhe (Celtic fairy folk) flitting about. As many people out there are stricken with terminal Celtophelia, this would be a popular attraction with a lot of crowds.

Patron's Tavern- similar in concept to the quickie mart out there already, have a TABC-certified sit-down bar/eatery with period flaire out in Patrons where the barbecue/quicky mart is by the fire. Something like the Prince of Wales, but out in Patrons. There may be legal issues on this one, so this is on the very edge of feasibility.

ARMA or AEMMA Tournaments- AEMMA is more historically-accurate in their tourneys as they wear full plate armour and use edgeless knightly weapons, but they also don't have local representation, being largely in Europe, Canada and the northern US. However, ARMA is based in Houston and is a very good close second. Have them do period-dress medieval combat tourneys straight out of the Talhoffer Fechtbuch manuals in the Arena. Again, there may be legal issues and you'd have to discuss it with the various groups, but I know ARMA has done demos out at TRF before.

Archery Contest- Several faires do this, TRF would benefit from holding one as well. I'd say review the faires that currently hold such tourneys and see how they do it (both out front and behind the scenes) and see if this would be feasible.

Bring Back the Crane- The old hamster-wheel stonemason's crane sits in the Boneyard by the railroad tracks aging and languishing. If it is structurally sound enough, I say find a place for that sucker so that the kids can see how things were lifted and how walls and such were built in the medieval and renaissance periods. That was one of the things I saw when I first attended faire that blew me away, and I loved it. I'd work that puppy and do demos on it myself if I had to in order to see that thing come back, it would be a magnificent educational opportunity.


Anyway, there's my ideas for consideration

[The Rabbi]

Now this is what I would call an Excellent thread and one TRF could utilize and be proud of. By the way myself and me new partner might very well steal ideas and concepts so get those creative juices going TRFers. Breandan also made a good point be willing to step up on a project if you really want to see it happen volunteers help the budget as we all know.  Like this thread.

[DonaCatalina]

The suggestion that first come to mind for me is seating..... You have a gazillion trees, you could add a few more stone tree rings. The eateries in the lanes never have enough seating. The Musketeer Banquet area comes to mind. Not only would these protect the trees, they provide a rest stop for people who are walking the faire from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

[Singed]

Yay!  We are at the constructive part of the conversation!

I do agree with Breandan on all points save the Celtic forest (though I'd like to see it happen), it is just not period, though I guess with Barbarians, a Brazilian restaurant and lots of other fantasy elements, it is out of place.   

One of the things I really miss is having some live combat out in the open, I don't really miss the SCA itself and I know there were tons of issues with garb and out of character stuff, they got called knights in Nikes for a good reason.  I do however miss the fighter's mound and going and watching some non-scripted fights right out in the middle of the faire that do not involve patrons and alcohol.   ARMA in period garb would fit the bill nicely.

A weekly traditional archery tournament would be a winner, cheap for TRF to implement, all you need is some hay bails, shoot from the arena out towards the lake so stray arrows do not provide any risk to the crowd.  I don't even think TRF would have to provide purse money, a small entry fee with the total divided up among the winners.  Again, period garb and weaponry required.

I'd also like to see the full contact jousting like they have at Sherwood.  The current show and actors are great, but it really doesn't change enough to be worth going back to.  The Queen presiding over a true tourney to choose her champion would be awesome!

FTLOG let me buy something to eat and coke at the same place, waiting in line to buy a food item, then taking my food to stand in another line, often right next to the first one, sometimes with not even a partition wall between the "separate" booths is nothing but an annoyance. 

Restrooms for those of us who are there very early or very late for the greater good of the faire, Terre, this is an outright plea!   Open one or two extra ones on Friday afternoon and leave them open through Monday morning so your loyal minions do not have to slog all the way to the ones near the EB for "late night relief", it used to be the one by the Gutenberg Press was open all night, but this is not so anymore or at least not consistently so.  Note, the sprinklers and lack of lighting make this long arduous journey far more "interesting" than really necessary, especially given the sometime immediate need. 

[mrsmccunn]

Shaded seating in the stage areas w/o cover. The Cast in Bronze area comes to mind.

[PyroMaster]

A couple of rules up front-

I would love to see a massive stone castle built across the pond with the fireworks being launched from the battlement, such a castle would cost nearly a million at the very least (however, I actually DO know a guy who builds such castles, so if the budget ever came available... just sayin')

I'm definitely up for that.

[Merlin the Elder]

Shaded seating, or more shade trees is something that most faires could use more of.

If Cast in Bronze is going to be appearing at every major faire in the country, they (and it is several people) need to lose the MIDI backup band. With the mention of non-period music and all, the techo-pop accompaniment to an otherwise fascinating concept of carillon playing just doesn't play with me at all, at least in a Ren faire setting.  Yes, I know I'm the only one who feels like this, but if you're going to mention the Brazilian pub there, you have to consider this.  If anything at the faires I've been to in the last 2-3 years irks me, it's hearing Bellringer Pops Orchestra at all but one of the faires I've been to.

Understand clearly that I do not find it entertaining in and of itself, but if you want to take someone out of the immersion into the faire experience, it's the one that does it for me.

[Singed]

Going with Merlin the Elder on this...

I love Cast in Bronze, but not so much the midi.

Also, I'm as big of a Sabbath / Ozzy fan as they come but hearing Iron Man out of a brass band is indeed a mood killer. 

[Endestroy]

I agree with most/all of what's been said, though I have a feeling many aren't really financially feasible, at least in the short term.

I do however see no reason why the joust can't be more realistic. I love the jousting at Sherwood but have been just completely skipping the TRF one for a decade.

I also think there's definitely a market for a more period sit down restaurant - well in theme/decor at least. I've done quite a bit of period cooking and much of it is shall we say an acquired taste. (why must EVERYTHING have almond milk?!?  )

[bookwench]

You're not the only one, Merlin.  The carillon is great; the prerecorded backup music makes me crazy. 

[Fenster]

I agree with the need for an improved jousting experience.  It is clear that the fights are scripted (even to my kids) and the acting is poor.  I think a full contact jousting troupe would be a huge improvement and would also help bring in crowds. We go once a year if at all.

Secondly the sit down eatery should have the entertainment changed to fit.  The Brazilian dancers and their music is not even in the "stretching things" category that other things at TRF are.

[Trillium]

I have to admit that I did not even see the Brazilian restaurant...and we missed the parade (isn't there usually a cannon for that??).
I agree we need more seating, it was not easy to find somewhere to sit when we needed a break.
The one thing that I had issue with this weekend is that the drink sizes appear to be getting smaller as the price gets higher.  I bought a mulled wine on saturday and was $6 (or more?) for a tiny styrofoam cup.  I was a bit shocked when they handed me the cup! The price seems a bit disproportionate to what I got! 
All in all though, I am very happy with the improvements!

[DonaCatalina]

Shaded seating, or more shade trees is something that most faires could use more of.

If Cast in Bronze is going to be appearing at every major faire in the country, they (and it is several people) need to lose the MIDI backup band. With the mention of non-period music and all, the techo-pop accompaniment to an otherwise fascinating concept of carillon playing just doesn't play with me at all, at least in a Ren faire setting.  Yes, I know I'm the only one who feels like this, but if you're going to mention the Brazilian pub there, you have to consider this.  If anything at the faires I've been to in the last 2-3 years irks me, it's hearing Bellringer Pops Orchestra at all but one of the faires I've been to.

Understand clearly that I do not find it entertaining in and of itself, but if you want to take someone out of the immersion into the faire experience, it's the one that does it for me.

what he said.....

[Strange]

Also have to agree w/ Merlin on CiB.
I'll not get into a screed here, but beyond the actual instrument itself, his act has little/no basis in what could be considered Renaissance or Medieval.

[Bob of the Lake]

Shaded seating, or more shade trees is something that most faires could use more of.

If Cast in Bronze is going to be appearing at every major faire in the country, they (and it is several people) need to lose the MIDI backup band. With the mention of non-period music and all, the techo-pop accompaniment to an otherwise fascinating concept of carillon playing just doesn't play with me at all, at least in a Ren faire setting.  Yes, I know I'm the only one who feels like this, but if you're going to mention the Brazilian pub there, you have to consider this.  If anything at the faires I've been to in the last 2-3 years irks me, it's hearing Bellringer Pops Orchestra at all but one of the faires I've been to.

Understand clearly that I do not find it entertaining in and of itself, but if you want to take someone out of the immersion into the faire experience, it's the one that does it for me.

I completely agree, Merlin. CiB has been at NYRF for the past 3 or 4 years and I have seen exactly 1 performance. The carillon is a wonderful instrument that I would love to listen to but the choice of music and the accompanying soundtrack completely turn me off.